What this means
A healthy cat walks on its toes and holds the heel of its back legs raised. If a cat begins to walk crouched, with the heel and the whole foot of the back legs touching the ground, that is a clear change. Sometimes the back end looks lower than it used to.
Such a walk can be linked with damage to the nerves of the back legs. It is sometimes seen in cats with a blood-sugar disease, where blood sugar that stays high for a long time can weaken the nerves in the legs. But that is not the only possible reason, and the sign alone proves nothing. Other nerve, spinal or muscle problems can look similar, so only a vet can make the diagnosis.
Look carefully for other changes too: whether the cat drinks and urinates more than before, whether it eats eagerly but loses weight, whether the litter clumps are large, whether the coat looks uncared for. Write everything down and show the cat to a vet, without waiting for it to pass.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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Nerve damage from high blood sugar
Blood sugar that stays high for a long time can damage the nerves of the back legs. The cat begins to walk with its back end lowered, resting on the whole foot.
About the condition: Diabetes mellitus -
Other nerve or spine problems
Changes in the back or the nerves can also alter the gait. The back legs may weaken or the back may hurt as well.
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Muscle weakness
As muscles weaken, a cat can no longer hold its feet properly. The weakness can be sudden or build up slowly.
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Injury or pain in the back legs
After an injury or because of pain, a cat can change how it puts weight on a leg. The pain may not show even though the walk has changed.
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A sudden circulation problem in the legs
Sudden weakness with cold, painful back legs can be a sign of a blood clot. That is an emergency.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether the cat drinks much more water than before
- Whether it urinates more often, and whether the litter clumps are bigger
- Whether it eats eagerly but loses weight
- Whether the coat looks uncared for and the cat seems more tired
- Whether the back legs weaken, tremble or the cat struggles to jump
- Whether the walk changed gradually or appeared suddenly
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit soon if your cat has started walking on its heels, especially if it also drinks more, urinates more or loses weight. If it vomits, refuses food, is very weak or seems confused, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
Body systems: Hormones and metabolism